Chapter 1

1

Beckett Thorne forced me to peel mangoes for his precious first love, Vivian Vance, despite knowing I was deathly allergic.

Later, my skin broke out in hives, and I struggled to draw a single breath.

I grabbed his hem, pleading with every ounce of strength I had left.

"Beckett, please... take me to the hospital. I think I'm dying..."

But because of a petty joke from Vivian, he intentionally locked me inside the VIP lounge.

"Fine. I'll come back tomorrow to see if you're actually dead."

He didn't remember me until three days later.

The moment he opened the door, my body was already rotting, filling the room with a pungent, sickly scent.

......

"Lyra Hart, get to the Obsidian Lounge. Now."

I had just stepped out of the hospital when Beckett called.

The terminal cancer diagnosis in my hand was crumpled into a ball.

Ignoring the dull ache in my lower abdomen, I drove to the club immediately.

Under the dim lights, I saw Beckett tied to a chair, surrounded by several hulking men.

My heart dropped, and I rushed forward without a second thought, shielding him with my body.

"What do you want? Money? Just name it."

From behind me, Beckett's voice was low and strained. "Lyra, save me..."

It was the first time I had ever seen this proud man so pale and terrified.

My heart softened. I pulled him into my arms, trying to soothe him.

"Don't be scared. I'm here."

"Well, well, the wife is here," one of the thugs sneered. "She's a beauty. Tonight, she either goes upstairs with us, or she leaves a finger behind for you. Of course, she can always choose to walk away."

The men looked at us with cruel, mocking grins.

Beckett looked up at me, his eyes bloodshot. "Lyra, let them take your finger. I'll listen to you from now on. I'll stay with you forever."

I froze, staring at the man I had loved for six years. I couldn't find my voice.

Seeing my hesitation, his expression shifted, and his tone turned ice-cold.

"You said you loved me. Are you really going to say no now?"

Before he could finish, I cut him off, finding my resolve.

"I'll do it, Beckett. I won't let anything happen to you."

Beckett narrowed his eyes, staring at me with an emotion I couldn't quite read.

He reached out, touching the hearing aid in my left ear, his voice dark and hollow.

"You're really willing to let them chop off your finger for me?"

I nodded without hesitation. "I am. I'd do anything for you."

He looked at me for a long moment, then suddenly let out a low, mocking laugh.

"Vivian, you lost the bet. You're driving me home tonight."